§ 61. Mr. Allaunasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that the price of a loaf will rise to 1s. in September when the remaining subsidy is removed and, in view of the fact that this increase is larger than was estimated when the proposal was first made, if he will reconsider the matter.
§ Sir E. BoyleNo, Sir. The price of the loaf after September will have to take account of bakers' costs at the time and can only be a matter of speculation at this moment. My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has already said that there can be no question of reversing the decision on the bread subsidy.
§ Mr. AllaunBut has the Minister any conception of what this increase, whether it be to 11½d. or 1s., which is what most bakers estimate, means to the old-age pensioner with less than 2s. 6d. a day left for food, and to a worker with a big family and a low wage? How can he possibly defend these deliberate increases in the prices of bread, milk, rent and household essentials on moral, economic or any other grounds?
§ Sir E. BoyleIt is precisely because my right hon. Friend did take account of those with large families that he has increased the family allowances for the third and subsequent children.